PTR August 2012! (almost there!!)

[cbeeindisney]

I'm following along. Love everything so far. I have kids who will be doing the passports and autograph books but I would do it even if I didnt have them. lol. Disney is all about being a kid again.

Thanks for hopping on board! I think you're right, I might just have to do it!

 

[cbeeindisney]

Magic Kingdom Day

Our first park day is traditionally Magic Kingdom, I think most people have this tradition also- the castle is the WDW icon and there's something great about starting your trip with the castle and ending it in the same way! I would like to, first of all, get many more pictures here! I could not find many pictures of us in MK, probably because it was our first day and we were more concerned with getting more done than taking pictures! Plus it has always been a hassle taking pictures with just the two of us (I always feel awkward asking others to stop and take a picture of us!) One of our arms are always in the shot and you can never see where we actually are- so we have pictures from all of our vacations/day trips of just our faces without a clue where we are So, we pre-ordered the photopass CD and this should make it a lot easier to get pictures of us the way they should be!

My ABSOLUTE must-dos in MK:

Peter Pan's Flight (my mom's favorite, so it has a special place for me)
Splash Mtn.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Mickey's Philharmagic
It's a Small World
Haunted Mansion
Space Ranger Spin
for DBF- Country Bear Jamboree (I'm not a fan, but DBF says it's a must!)

I have to say that I have NEVER been on Dumbo! Maybe with the double Dumbos, I will have to try it this time around!

As I mentioned before, DBF thinks that we are going to be staying the ENTIRE day in the park, he refuses to take a break! So this is our day to try to get to everything, and hopefully make him realize we'll need a quick break at the resort for the rest of the vacation!

We plan to get to the park early, not rope drop, but early enough...I like to sleep (and Disney is my favorite vacation, go figure! Who sleeps on a WDW vacation anyway!)

My plan is to hit my favorites early in the day and take it leisurely later on! Dinner reservations aren't until 6:30, so we have a big block of time to get those must-dos out of the way! I would like to see MSEP, but if I don't we will get another chance! I have never seen Wishes! Is it worth sticking around for and fighting the HUMONGOUS crowd? If not, rides would be our next option while the crowds pile in to see the parade and the fireworks!

I have also NEVER had a Dole Whip, so excited to be trying this and getting my hands on a rice krispie treat on Main Street! I can't wait to shop at the Emporium and spend some of the souvenir money

 

[Whereisalyssa]

sounds like a great day!
I've never been on dumbo before either! it always seemed like a wait that was just too long and not worth it but maybe i'll give it a shot this time too haha.

I absolutely love to sit on the road with some treats from the confectionary and watch the MSEP something about it just feels magical! Wishes in my opinion is very magical as well with the cutest... story line(?)... i don't know what to call it but it does get pretty crazy at the end... I would definitely watch it at least once if i were you but watch it from somewhere less crowded... other side of the castle maybe? or near the exit if you want to avoid crowds. I wouldn't miss wishes everyone needs to see it at least once!!

 

[cbeeindisney]

sounds like a great day!
I've never been on dumbo before either! it always seemed like a wait that was just too long and not worth it but maybe i'll give it a shot this time too haha.

I absolutely love to sit on the road with some treats from the confectionary and watch the MSEP something about it just feels magical! Wishes in my opinion is very magical as well with the cutest... story line(?)... i don't know what to call it but it does get pretty crazy at the end... I would definitely watch it at least once if i were you but watch it from somewhere less crowded... other side of the castle maybe? or near the exit if you want to avoid crowds. I wouldn't miss wishes everyone needs to see it at least once!!

Thanks for the advice! I'll make it a must-do on my list!

 

[Halloween Baby]

Wishes is great! If you want a good view, try upstairs by the train station. It's a great spot and easier to exit afterwards than most places!! We're probably going to the Poly to watch. They have speakers to listen and the boys can play in the sand while we wait. And will see the Pageant!

 

[cbeeindisney]

This time around my sunglasses are not quite as big laughing and my hair is staying up! It WILL NOT be like ^ this January weather!

My DBF's favorite park and a very close second for me, next to Magic Kingdom- EPCOT! We have our ADRs at a restaurant in the WS for every night except the first two, so we will be seeing this park a lot during our trip, but this will be our big, full-day Epcot day

Our Must-Dos

World Showcase- shopping, exploring, etc...
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush - we don't have any kids of our own, but this show is so funny!
Maelstrom
My favorite pavilion- Mexico!
DBF's fave pavilion- Morocco (I really love this one too!)

I love that Epcot is a little bit grown-up and there doesn't need to be a ton of rides for it to be great!



We have a reservation at Le Cellier at 6:30- so we will have lots of time to walk around, people watch, and take our time! We like to get a bus to the Boardwalk, walk in through the "back door" in the WS, and get an early treat from the patisserie in France, German pretzel and beer for a snack later. If we are starting near the other end, we start with Mexico, and get some quick service nachos, YUM! at the cantina.

Never did, but determined to do this time...
try Kringla Kafe in Norway
ride Soarin' and see what all the hype is about
try one of everything at the Karamell Kuche!
(on a side note- DBF and I took German together in HS and we love the Germany pavilion- it holds a special place- and we can use some of the basic words that we can remember and make it seem like we can actually speak German! )

54 days and counting and I really can't control my excitement! We have had a heat wave here in NJ and it's been 99 to 103- I remembered how much I hate the hot, hot, heat! Starting to get a little nervous about surviving a FL August!

 

[jerseygirl81]

We are going to Disney in august, this will be our 3rd trip in Aug it is definitely hot but it's doable. We take a mid-day break the afternoons are hot. I would recommend getting to the parks early doing your must do's before the lines build in the heat. Dumbo has a fast pass now. I love wishes it's a must do, I occasionally watch it on YouTube. The idea of bike shorts is making me consider sundresses, no chub rub lol. I also like the idea of the stick sunscreen for your face and the spray to quickly reapply. I read on the dis to walk on the shady side of the street it makes a difference also the shops have a/c take little breaks if needed. I'm looking forward to reading more and getting new ideas. Linda

 

[cbeeindisney]

We are going to Disney in august, this will be our 3rd trip in Aug it is definitely hot but it's doable. We take a mid-day break the afternoons are hot. I would recommend getting to the parks early doing your must do's before the lines build in the heat. Dumbo has a fast pass now. I love wishes it's a must do, I occasionally watch it on YouTube. The idea of bike shorts is making me consider sundresses, no chub rub lol. I also like the idea of the stick sunscreen for your face and the spray to quickly reapply. I read on the dis to walk on the shady side of the street it makes a difference also the shops have a/c take little breaks if needed. I'm looking forward to reading more and getting new ideas. Linda

Thanks for reading and for all of the advice! I'm definitely stressing a little bit about the heat, but I've gotten some really good ideas and strategies so far, so thank you ! I'm considering some shorts underneath my dresses too, I HATE my legs rubbing together in the summer, it makes me never want to wear my sundresses! This seems like a good way to go! I've tried deoderant but it just rubs off eventually.

 

[cbeeindisney]

3rd Day is ...................

Hollywood Studios!

I feel like we always go pretty quickly through this park for some reason or another, so we plan to get there early...leave early and head to our 6:30 dinner reservation at Rose & Crown in Epcot early. Probably the biggest reason we don't do a lot in this park is because DBF doesn't like roller coasters (i.e Rock'n Roller Coaster) and despises TOT. We rode TOT last time- told DBF when they will drop you so he could be prepared (granted I hadn't been there for 10 or so years) and later learned that they changed it so that it's a different ride everytime you go on and you can't predict the drops. Well, let's just say DBF doesn't trust me to go on those rides again and we made a VERY quick run to the bathroom so DBF could share what he thought of TOT with the rest of the guests in the bathroom! So I will be either doing single rider or skipping the two altogether, not an issue either way!

So our Must-Dos will be-

Muppets 3-D Movie (My favorite, favorite, most favorite thing in HS )
Star Tours (DBF loves it, but I get motion sick EVERY time)
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

My Character List-
Phineas and Ferb (love to watch this with (or without ) my nephew!
Mike and Sully

I'd put the Great Movie Ride, but it's the creepiest ride to me! I'm sure we'll end up riding regardless!

We saw Fantasmic after my sister and brother-in-law said we "have to" see it when we went, and we could've skipped it! So we're doing just that (sorry Fantasmic lovers) it's not on our list this time!

Never did, but will get to this time-
Starring Rolls Bakery - the pictures I've seen of the cupcakes have me hooked!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid- I LOVE this movie, and can't believe I've never gotten to this one!

I'm leaving out TSM (gasp!)- the lines are just so long, we never rode- but this is our day to take it slow and get to the small list of rides that we have planned and take it easy! I know, I know- we're being very anti-Disney by skipping two of the most beloved HS attractions, TSM and Fantasmic! Oh well, there's always next time!

Sadly, we aren't dining at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater this time around, DBF and I decided against it this time to try a new restaurant for us for our sit-down meal of the day! I love the atmosphere there and the cheesecake Again, next time!

Onto our 4th day at Animal Kingdom ...

 

[Halloween Baby]

Never did, but will get to this time-
Starring Rolls Bakery - the pictures I've seen of the cupcakes have me hooked!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid- I LOVE this movie, and can't believe I've never gotten to this one!

Oh, I forgot about Starring Rolls Bakery! We haven't tried it either, but I think we need to for this trip!

 

[cbeeindisney]

Oh, I forgot about Starring Rolls Bakery! We haven't tried it either, but I think we need to for this trip!

You should! I can't wait





Pretty cute, and it's entirely off of my neck which is a plus! I just wanted something more than a ponytail!

Ok, so now that that's out of the way- I can move onto our 4th park day- Animal Kingdom!!

I think that we did this park in a half-day last time we were there, partly because it's A LOT of walking, and secondly I think that we missed half the park (oops!) So I'm planning on giving it a better try this time, staying a little bit longer, and making sure to see EVERYTHING! I am a big fan of watching nature series', so seeing animals is always really fun for me and DBF- we like to take our time and walk the trails taking pictures and watching the animals, so this is a fun park to be at for us!

Animal Kingdom has one of those dreaded roller coasters for DBF- but that's just too bad, because it's on my Must-Do list and nothing will stand in my way of Everest!

Other must-dos-
Kilimanjaro Safari
It's Tough to be a Bug (Might be my favorite in AK!)
DINOSAUR

Never Did, but ready to try-
Festival of the Lion King
Kali River Rapids
Flights of Wonder show
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade

Since I haven't seen much of AK before, does anyone have any other places to visit that I may have missed on my list?

 

[Halloween Baby]

Never Did, but ready to try-
Festival of the Lion King
Kali River Rapids
Flights of Wonder show
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade

Since I haven't seen much of AK before, does anyone have any other places to visit that I may have missed on my list?

I love the hair! It's so cute!

Kali River Rapids is one of Ashton's favorites! I think we rode it three times last time!! It's super fun, just be prepared to get wet! We take off our shoes and socks for it and put them in the waterproof backpack. We've even riden in ponchos before, but be prepared for weird looks!!

We haven't tried Festival of the Lion King or Flights of Wonder but their both on the list of things we'd like to try this trip too.

We're skipping the parade because, in my opinion, it's the worst of the Disney parades... but the worst at Disney's still better than anywhere else!

Something that I recommend if you haven't tried it is Finding Nemo! It's very creative and has a great plot. The puppets are amazing! We had to decide between that and the Lion King last time and went there. We'll do Lion King this time but may be able to squeeze in Nemo too!

 

[cbeeindisney]

I love the hair! It's so cute!

Kali River Rapids is one of Ashton's favorites! I think we rode it three times last time!! It's super fun, just be prepared to get wet! We take off our shoes and socks for it and put them in the waterproof backpack. We've even riden in ponchos before, but be prepared for weird looks!!

We haven't tried Festival of the Lion King or Flights of Wonder but their both on the list of things we'd like to try this trip too.

We're skipping the parade because, in my opinion, it's the worst of the Disney parades... but the worst at Disney's still better than anywhere else!

Something that I recommend if you haven't tried it is Finding Nemo! It's very creative and has a great plot. The puppets are amazing! We had to decide between that and the Lion King last time and went there. We'll do Lion King this time but may be able to squeeze in Nemo too!

That's funny- we decided the same thing! So, we're trying Lion King this time too! Hm, I'll have to see about the parade, we didn't even stay until parade time last time so we might just see what it's about! I can't wait for Kali River Rapids, and I bet on those hot days- I wouldn't mind getting soaked!

 

[Whereisalyssa]

3rd Day is ...................

Hollywood Studios!

I feel like we always go pretty quickly through this park for some reason or another, so we plan to get there early...leave early and head to our 6:30 dinner reservation at Rose & Crown in Epcot early. Probably the biggest reason we don't do a lot in this park is because DBF doesn't like roller coasters (i.e Rock'n Roller Coaster) and despises TOT. We rode TOT last time- told DBF when they will drop you so he could be prepared (granted I hadn't been there for 10 or so years) and later learned that they changed it so that it's a different ride everytime you go on and you can't predict the drops. Well, let's just say DBF doesn't trust me to go on those rides again and we made a VERY quick run to the bathroom so DBF could share what he thought of TOT with the rest of the guests in the bathroom! So I will be either doing single rider or skipping the two altogether, not an issue either way!

So our Must-Dos will be-

Muppets 3-D Movie (My favorite, favorite, most favorite thing in HS )
Star Tours (DBF loves it, but I get motion sick EVERY time)
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

My Character List-
Phineas and Ferb (love to watch this with (or without ) my nephew!
Mike and Sully

I'd put the Great Movie Ride, but it's the creepiest ride to me! I'm sure we'll end up riding regardless!

We saw Fantasmic after my sister and brother-in-law said we "have to" see it when we went, and we could've skipped it! So we're doing just that (sorry Fantasmic lovers) it's not on our list this time!

Never did, but will get to this time-
Starring Rolls Bakery - the pictures I've seen of the cupcakes have me hooked!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid- I LOVE this movie, and can't believe I've never gotten to this one!

I'm leaving out TSM (gasp!)- the lines are just so long, we never rode- but this is our day to take it slow and get to the small list of rides that we have planned and take it easy! I know, I know- we're being very anti-Disney by skipping two of the most beloved HS attractions, TSM and Fantasmic! Oh well, there's always next time!

Sadly, we aren't dining at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater this time around, DBF and I decided against it this time to try a new restaurant for us for our sit-down meal of the day! I love the atmosphere there and the cheesecake Again, next time!

Onto our 4th day at Animal Kingdom ...

Ahhh i can't wait to try starring rolls bakery either! From the pictures i've seen it just looks soooo fantastic!!

And you will love the voyage of the little mermaid if you love the movie it's short and a little rushed but still completely adorable

My brother hates meeting characters but i'm going to make sure he sees phineas and ferb (he LOVES the show) plus i want to see them too

this sounds like a great day!!

 

[cbeeindisney]

Ahhh i can't wait to try starring rolls bakery either! From the pictures i've seen it just looks soooo fantastic!!

And you will love the voyage of the little mermaid if you love the movie it's short and a little rushed but still completely adorable

My brother hates meeting characters but i'm going to make sure he sees phineas and ferb (he LOVES the show) plus i want to see them too

this sounds like a great day!!

I know! I'm sure that stop alone with put me up a couple pant sizes

Good! I'm looking forward to that show! Thanks!

I've always been pretty shy about meeting characters, when I was younger and in my twenties when we went, but I swear I'm going to break out of my shell and meet as many characters as I can this time!

 

[CMA21]

Hey! Just wanted to stop by and say hello!

I followed your link to your PTR from your comment on my PTR. All your trip plans look really exciting so far, and you must be getting super exciting since your trip is coming up pretty soon!

All those restaurants look like really good choices, but through all my trips to Disney I haven't actually eaten at any of them, so you'll have to let us know how they are!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[cbeeindisney]

With my first few park days planned, I am (trying) to plan not to plan out the last few days of our trip, besides ADRs of course! We were are planning to go back to the parks that we most enjoyed and get to the rides that we didn't get to before. As I said before, after reading and re-reading Touringplans.com, it has me stressing me out, getting there at rope drop, dashing to my must-do, must-sees, etc... I am fine with a few days of this, but I spend the majority of my time with anxiety and stressing out and I hope, at least, the last few days of my trip can be void of such! So, I'm trying to set my over-active planning aside, and see what happens! So this is why I haven't set plans here for days 6,7 and 8. We'll see how long I can stick to this. But I'm taking DBF's laid back advice, for now!

I have made up my packing list and I'm curious to know what types of things that I haven't included here are on your list to bring. With the heat being over 100 degrees here for the last few days, I am hoping I have enough items that will keep us hydrated and "cool" for our trip!

tank tops
sundresses
shorts/skorts
bathing suits
shorts for under dresses (to prevent chafing) great tip I got on here!
etc.. etc...

my misc. items
band-aids
fans/misters
cooling bandanas
excedrin (this stuff is the best for migraines, which I always get!)
tums,
hand and bathroom wipes
benadryl (for allergy-prone DBF)
lotion,
powder, sunscreen, tissues, q-tips, sunglasses, ponchos, aloe, hair things, make-up things, razor, chapstick with spf, bonine (for motion-sick prone me) deodorant, toothbrush/paste/floss, cameras, chargers, phone

I saw someone mention on the boards about roll-up, soft water bottles called vapur...have any of you ever used these and is it worth it? We were planning on buying water bottles during the day, and I mentioned these vapur bottles to DBF and he was grossed out by having to refill it at a water fountain (since we've seen kids put their entire mouth on the spout). Is there anywhere else we could fill them up, or is this something that we should do?

 

[Whereisalyssa]

My family and I are trying to do the same thing! we have the first 5 days totally jam packed!! it never feels like enough time does it? haha

as for the vapour water bottles - are you going to have the dining plan while you're there? because if so you get the refillable cups free.. but if not i would definitely try them! my boyfriend has one and loves it!

 

[cbeeindisney]

Yes, we have the DDP but I don't know how I feel about carrying those cups around all day!

And now for some really bittersweet news....

DBF has been taking tests to be a cop and probation officer. Well, after two years he got calls for both in the same day ! One is for a temp position that may turn permanent and the other is to come in for an interview. He needs to tell them by tomorrow his answer for the temp position - offered him salary, benefits, etc.. etc.. He's obviously going to take it, so that he gets his foot in the door, but guess what's on the line? DISNEY! He doesn't want to make the wrong first impression and say he has an 8 day vacation during his training or first few weeks of work, but on the other hand we have been planning this now for well over a year. I will be sorely disappointed , but I feel like I'm being so selfish, because we have been waiting for an opportunity like this for quite some time! He said he'll TRY to see what he can do, in the best possible way he can say it, but there is a chance they will say that it's best he stay and work.

If worse comes to worse and they say this, these are the choices, I could either cancel the entire trip- lose my over $2000 that is already paid for the trip, go solo (which my parents will not allow) or bring someone else with me (i.e. mom or dad) sister is having a baby next week, and other sister had a baby in March so they are out of the question (although both brothers in law offered to come with me in their place!) Even if I go with someone else, I will be pretty upset ! I'll find out soon and keep posted, but this is really great news- just pretty bad timing!

 

[cbeeindisney]

It has been a CRAZY day! DBF got news that he got the job and dum dum dum...will still be going to Disney- phew! also had another interview for another possible job.. and I'm an auntie for the fourth time, my sister had a baby to top off the day! After avoiding the Disboards and anything Disney for the last few days, and coaxing my dad into making it a possible father-daughter trip this August, DBF is relieved and still going and I can resume my place on the boards I can finally get some sleep tonight too!

I am super excited planning in our last 5 weeks until our trip, EEK!